Aviation

SpiceJet to Reintroduce Seaplane Routes in 2025

In a major development for regional connectivity and tourism, Indian low-cost carrier SpiceJet has announced its plans to relaunch its seaplane services in 2025. As reported by News18.

This ambitious initiative marks the airline’s return to seaplane operations after a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it aims to improve access to some of India’s most remote and underserved regions.

The announcement was made in November 2024 by SpiceJet’s Chairman and Managing Director, spicejet ajay singh, during a demonstration flight from Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada to the Srisailam Dam. The event was attended by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu.

As part of this effort, SpiceJet has partnered with De Havilland for the trials and is providing crucial engineering, technical, and logistical support.

SpiceJet has been granted rights to operate seaplane services on 20 routes, including key destinations such as Lakshadweep, Hyderabad, Guwahati, and Shillong. The airline is now preparing to roll out services on these routes as soon as the necessary infrastructure is in place.

A whole new way to discover India is on the horizon! SpiceJet’s upcoming seaplane operations will bring you closer to stunning shores, scenic lakes, and remote islands. Join us in 2025 for the journey of a lifetime!

Read the full story on News18: https://t.co/Ws7BVweDCN… pic.twitter.com/7y8sx1e1du
— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) November 9, 2024

The airline originally pioneered India’s first scheduled seaplane service in October 2020, connecting the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad with the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat. However, the operations were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, spicejet is poised to resume this innovative mode of transport, continuing its commitment to the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, which aims to make air travel more accessible to the masses.

SpiceJet’s CEO highlighted the role of seaplane services in bridging transportation gaps, particularly in areas that have limited access to conventional air travel. The upcoming resumption of seaplane operations is seen as a significant step forward in making travel to remote destinations more affordable and accessible.

Additionally, the airline sees potential for these services to support tourism, as well as provide a reliable transportation option during emergencies, such as natural disasters when land-based access is compromised.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.